Mountain town residents breathe sigh of relief

Andrea Benson of Big Bear walks her dog Prissy near the site where fugitive Christopher Dorner was believed to have been involved in a home-invasion robbery, in a building behind one on the left. Benson lives 600 yards away and was surprised that Dorner might have been close by. She adds that she never saw police scouring her area though she was constantly at her window. The retiree was also surprised that the ski resorts were allowed to open so quickly.CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

BIG BEAR LAKE – Like almost every other morning, the seasoned mountain man locals call "Stubby" enjoyed a cup of decaf Wednesday at the rustic wooden counter of his favorite coffee shop, but this day's conversation is unlike any he has had in the past.

Harold Ent, who only answers to his nickname and has lived in the Big Bear Lake area for more than 5 1/2 decades, said nothing like the six-day escapade that ended Tuesday night has ever happened here.

"Well, I'm definitely glad it's over. Everyone is," Ent said, reminiscing about that time long ago when there were only two California Highway Patrol officers assigned to the area. "Back in the day, we were a redneck town, and there were a lot less people here so we could take care of things ourselves, now we really can't do that."

Amid the clinking of silverware and the sizzling of breakfast on the grill at Grizzly Manor Cafe, Ent and the other patrons laughed about their quiet mountain town returning to boring normalcy.

Big Bear Lake, home to about 5,000 people, breathed a collective sigh of relief Wednesday as locals and out-of-towners adjusted to the aftermath of the manhunt for former Los Angeles police Officer Christopher Dorner.

Perhaps no other place in Southern California felt as jittery as this town at 7,000 feet, which became a focal point of the search for the man suspected of killing two law enforcement officers and a couple in Irvine.

A palpable sense of relief permeated as parents once again felt safe with children in schools, merchants open for business, the ski lifts humming up and down the slopes and the snow glistening in the sunshine on a crisp, 43-degree day.

Questions lingered, however, about how Dorner eluded the manhunt for days, with some people wondering what pushed the man to such limits but glad that the days-long ordeal is over.

Retiree Andrea Benson, who lives about 600 yards from the condominium where the fugitive possibly was involved in a home-invasion robbery explains: "It could have easily been me. I left Los Angeles (in 2001) to get away from things like this. ... I do feel sorry for him, because he must have been so lonely."

Concerned for her child's safety, Janelle Nordine, a manager at Bear Belly Deli, picked up her 5-year-old son from his kindergarten classroom in a panic.

"No one really thought he was up here," she said. "We thought the truck was a diversion. Who knew he'd be right across the street the whole time? Thank God he's (gone)."

Charlie Cunningham, a 12-year resident of the area, said he suspected Dorner was here the whole time.

"But I wasn't worried. We have what I like to call a 'redneck mentality.' We're armed, locked and loaded," he said.

Bruce Doucett, an accountant who has lived in the area for 20 years, said he was never concerned about his safety while the search for Dorner unfolded because he knew he wasn't targeting civilians. On Tuesday, he learned Dorner had been hiding in a condominium near his.

Andrea Benson of Big Bear walks her dog Prissy near the site where fugitive Christopher Dorner was believed to have been involved in a home-invasion robbery, in a building behind one on the left. Benson lives 600 yards away and was surprised that Dorner might have been close by. She adds that she never saw police scouring her area though she was constantly at her window. The retiree was also surprised that the ski resorts were allowed to open so quickly. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
There only seemed to be media at 1274 Club View Road in Big Bear, where fugitive murder suspect Christopher Jordan Dorner was possibly involved in a home-invasion robbery, according to Riverside County Sheriff's Department. No maids or residents appeared to be around. An Australian broadcaster, left, points to a loose screen on third floor balcony. It's unkown whether Dorner stayed in the condo on the right and left. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A view from the third floor unit that fugitive murder suspect Christopher Dorner possibly had from 1274 Club View Road in Big Bear if he was involved in a home-invasion robbery. This was the site of a Command Post. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A view from the third floor unit that fugitive murder suspect Christopher Dorner possibly had from 1274 Club View Road in Big Bear if he was involved in a home-invasion robbery. This was the site of a Command Post. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Riverside County Sheriff's Department has broadcast a general advisory stating fugitive murder suspect Christopher Jordan Dorner was possibly involved in a home-invasion robbery at 1274 Club View Road in Big Bear, pictured. This is the back where a screen was found under a downstairs window. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Andrea Benson of Big Bear, who lives about 600 yards from the site where fugitive murder suspect Christopher Dorner was possibly involved in a home-invasion robbery explains, "It could have easily been me. I left Los Angeles (in 2001) to get away from things like this...I do feel sorry for him because he must have been so lonely." CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Flags fly half mast at Big Bear Lake Police and Sheriff's Departments. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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